Friday, September 30, 2005
Too Much Fun
So here I was trying to post a real blog entry when hubby sent me to take these quizzes. We had the most fun so alas..you will have to wait until tomorrow or Monday for a real blog post...just know we had a blast! :)
Hubby was so afraid this is what he would be....
You're France!
Most people think you're snobby, but it's really just that
you're better than everyone else. At least you're more loyal to the real
language, the fine arts, and the fine wines than anyone else. You aren't
worth beans in a fight, unless you're really short, but you're so good at other
things that it usually doesn't matter. Some of your finest works were
intended to be short-term projects.
Take the Country Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid
Ok everything but the pub part.....
You're Ireland!
Mystical and rain-soaked, you remain mysterious to many people, and this
makes you intriguing. You also like a good night at the pub, though many are just as
worried that you will blow up the pub as drink your beverage of choice. You're good
with words, remarkably lucky, and know and enjoy at least fifteen ways of eating a potato.
You really don't like snakes.
Take the Country Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid
Here's Hubby
You're a Meerkat!
Highly social and very protective of your friends, you only really
feel safe when you're underground. You are able to stand up for longer periods of
time than anyone you know and make an extremely good guard or watchperson. You do
have a nasty tendency to hold in your anger until it simply explodes without
warning. You owe everything you have to a magazine cover.
Take the Animal Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Im a durn Kangaroo!
You're a Kangaroo!
Big and brash, but also spry, you were probably a track star at some
point in your life. You certainly could do well at the field events, if not always
the track as well. When not jumping over hurdles on the track, you've found ways
to overcome hurdles in life, usually by stuffing things away for later use. This
resourcefulness is combined with a certain amount of charm to persuade others to
your side. You've been meaning to take up kickboxing as well, just in
case.
Take the Animal Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Here's Roy
You're Dune!
by Frank Herbert
You have control over a great wealth of resources, but no one wants to
let you have them. You've decided to try to defend yourself, but it may take eons before
you really get back what you feel you deserve. Meanwhile you have a cult-like following
of minions waiting for your life to progress. This would all be even more exciting if you
could just get the sand out of your eyes.
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Another cute quiz...
You're Invisible Man!
by Ralph Ellison
Most of your life, people have either ignored you or told you that you
were wrong. You've been duped, mistreated, misled, and neglected. Maybe it was because
of your race, or some other uniqueness that people were quick to condemn, but now you
just want to crawl into a hole and disappear. After all, nobody knows your name. But
you just might speak for everyone.
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
This was fun!
This is my husband!?!?!
You are Mary Ingalls, usually quiet and reserved.
You make beautiful crafts and sometimes
intimidate people with your seeming
How is he Mary and I'M Charles?? This makes no sense!
You make beautiful crafts and sometimes
intimidate people with your seeming
How is he Mary and I'M Charles?? This makes no sense!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Im Charles Ingalls????
You are Charles Ingalls. You are independent and
pioneering, yet neighborly and friendly. You
are a thrifty do-it-yourselfer and jack of all
trades. Practically tireless, you will stay up
all night to protect your family from marauding
indians, and spend all day plowing the fields.
Which Little House Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
This made me laugh...do I look like Charles Ingalls??? I think its because I said if I was frightened I would get my gun! I dont have a gun but I was thinking metephorically. I get defensive and argumentative when I get scared.
pioneering, yet neighborly and friendly. You
are a thrifty do-it-yourselfer and jack of all
trades. Practically tireless, you will stay up
all night to protect your family from marauding
indians, and spend all day plowing the fields.
Which Little House Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
This made me laugh...do I look like Charles Ingalls??? I think its because I said if I was frightened I would get my gun! I dont have a gun but I was thinking metephorically. I get defensive and argumentative when I get scared.
Classical Education
I am reading the book The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. It is an excellent book. Dh and I were looking into Classical Education for when we begin homeschooling and now after reading this book I am convinced this is the way to go. Every few lines I will stop and say to hubby, "You have to read this book!"
For those of you who dont know Classical Education is broken down into three different stages. The Grammer Stage is 1-4th grade during this time children learn facts: rules of phonics and spelling, rules of grammer, poems, the vocabulary of foreign language, the facts of math...ect... The second stage is the Logic Stage which is 5-8th grade. This is where the student asks, "Why?" They are not as interested in memorization as they are in researching how things happen, cause and effect, and how things work. The third stage is the Rhetoric Stage for highschool. This is where they learn to tell you, "why". They learn to speak and write with confidence and knowledge.
Classical Education appeals to us because it is language focused. The students learn through reading and writting not through pictures and images. Here is an example I once heard regarding why Classical Education is better. You can teach someone to play a piece of music just by having them play that piece of music everyday. They could practice and practice and practice and eventually get really good at it. OR you could teach them to play the piano. To read the music, to study the music, to know the music and they could play any piece that is set in front of them. Classical Education teaches the students to think. It is not the useless facts we memorized in school that we can no longer remember. It starts by teaching facts, moves to teaching research, and finishes by teaching you how to express yourself.
I like the fact that in order to be successful my children are going to have to read and read and read. I like the fact that my children are going to have to be able to write neatly and clearly. I like the fact that one day 10 years from now when you ask my oldest why she believes what she believes she will turn her big brown eyes on you, smile slightly, and launch into clear, concise, and understandable reasons.
One thing that the Well Trained Mind suggests is teaching three repitions of the same four year patterns. The Ancients (5000 B.C. - A.D. 400), The Medieval Period through the Renaissance (400-1600), The Late Renaissance through the early modern times (1600-1850), and modern times (1850-present). For example the student would study the Ancients in first grade, fifth grade, and ninth grade. Of course it would be on a simple level in first grade, more difficult in 5th grade where they begin to read original sources, and even more complex in ninth grade when they use original sources to to work through the period.
Classical Education gives children the opportunity to think for themselves, to work through problems for themselves, and to have confidence in what they are saying. Hubby and I are both fairly smart but we both agree that our public school education was not even close to the education our children are going to recieve through the Classical Education method. I did horribly in school because I could not memorize. I would get my facts all mixed up in history and science and math. DH did great in school because he is a sponge and can memorize anything. When we were in college at the same time he would make me so mad because I would literally be pouring over my books doing everything and anything to get something to stick in my head while he would go to class and most times not even buy the book because he learned everything in class. He would make straight A's and I was lucky to pull down a solid C.
To be honest Im looking forward to learning with my children. I have missed out on some great classics that they will be reading (or I will be reading to them). If you are interested in learning more about Classical Education here is another link for you to go check it out. Trivium Pursuit
I want to talk about my oldest daughter but I am out of time so it will have to wait maybe tonight or tomorrow.
Around the House:
Still decluttering. We are getting there though. The school room, playroom and our bedroom is last on the list. I will be working in the school room and our bedroom today. I have decided that I want to get a free standing pantry closet type thing for the school room to keep supplies in.. I also think I need a little bit taller table for schooling the small one works well for my preschoolers and toddler BUT my school agers are getting a bit big for the table.
I need to finish straighting up and organzing the childrens' rooms. Now that all the junk is out of thier room there is no excuse for it to be messy. I am going in there today and tomorrow and doing a really good cleaning and then it will be up to the children to keep it clean. (With minor help from mom of course!)
The family room has been successfully rearranged. Though Im not too sure I like it and we may have to do something different.
We are just trying to stay the course at this point. Follow our schedule and keep the house tidy daily. I think its going well.
My project next month will be to teach my eight year old to do her own laundry from start to finish. To teach my five year old to clean counters. Teach my four year old boy to make beds and empty trashcans. Teach my four year old girl how to wash the windows and mirrors nicely. And my two year old to toddle along behind me. :)
For those of you who dont know Classical Education is broken down into three different stages. The Grammer Stage is 1-4th grade during this time children learn facts: rules of phonics and spelling, rules of grammer, poems, the vocabulary of foreign language, the facts of math...ect... The second stage is the Logic Stage which is 5-8th grade. This is where the student asks, "Why?" They are not as interested in memorization as they are in researching how things happen, cause and effect, and how things work. The third stage is the Rhetoric Stage for highschool. This is where they learn to tell you, "why". They learn to speak and write with confidence and knowledge.
Classical Education appeals to us because it is language focused. The students learn through reading and writting not through pictures and images. Here is an example I once heard regarding why Classical Education is better. You can teach someone to play a piece of music just by having them play that piece of music everyday. They could practice and practice and practice and eventually get really good at it. OR you could teach them to play the piano. To read the music, to study the music, to know the music and they could play any piece that is set in front of them. Classical Education teaches the students to think. It is not the useless facts we memorized in school that we can no longer remember. It starts by teaching facts, moves to teaching research, and finishes by teaching you how to express yourself.
I like the fact that in order to be successful my children are going to have to read and read and read. I like the fact that my children are going to have to be able to write neatly and clearly. I like the fact that one day 10 years from now when you ask my oldest why she believes what she believes she will turn her big brown eyes on you, smile slightly, and launch into clear, concise, and understandable reasons.
One thing that the Well Trained Mind suggests is teaching three repitions of the same four year patterns. The Ancients (5000 B.C. - A.D. 400), The Medieval Period through the Renaissance (400-1600), The Late Renaissance through the early modern times (1600-1850), and modern times (1850-present). For example the student would study the Ancients in first grade, fifth grade, and ninth grade. Of course it would be on a simple level in first grade, more difficult in 5th grade where they begin to read original sources, and even more complex in ninth grade when they use original sources to to work through the period.
Classical Education gives children the opportunity to think for themselves, to work through problems for themselves, and to have confidence in what they are saying. Hubby and I are both fairly smart but we both agree that our public school education was not even close to the education our children are going to recieve through the Classical Education method. I did horribly in school because I could not memorize. I would get my facts all mixed up in history and science and math. DH did great in school because he is a sponge and can memorize anything. When we were in college at the same time he would make me so mad because I would literally be pouring over my books doing everything and anything to get something to stick in my head while he would go to class and most times not even buy the book because he learned everything in class. He would make straight A's and I was lucky to pull down a solid C.
To be honest Im looking forward to learning with my children. I have missed out on some great classics that they will be reading (or I will be reading to them). If you are interested in learning more about Classical Education here is another link for you to go check it out. Trivium Pursuit
I want to talk about my oldest daughter but I am out of time so it will have to wait maybe tonight or tomorrow.
Around the House:
Still decluttering. We are getting there though. The school room, playroom and our bedroom is last on the list. I will be working in the school room and our bedroom today. I have decided that I want to get a free standing pantry closet type thing for the school room to keep supplies in.. I also think I need a little bit taller table for schooling the small one works well for my preschoolers and toddler BUT my school agers are getting a bit big for the table.
I need to finish straighting up and organzing the childrens' rooms. Now that all the junk is out of thier room there is no excuse for it to be messy. I am going in there today and tomorrow and doing a really good cleaning and then it will be up to the children to keep it clean. (With minor help from mom of course!)
The family room has been successfully rearranged. Though Im not too sure I like it and we may have to do something different.
We are just trying to stay the course at this point. Follow our schedule and keep the house tidy daily. I think its going well.
My project next month will be to teach my eight year old to do her own laundry from start to finish. To teach my five year old to clean counters. Teach my four year old boy to make beds and empty trashcans. Teach my four year old girl how to wash the windows and mirrors nicely. And my two year old to toddle along behind me. :)
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Alls Well
Just wanted to let you guys know that alls well here. Im super busy trying to get this house cleaned up and stay on schedule. If I have time tonight I will blog about the great book I am reading and some decisions hubby and I are in the process of making about our children. OK back to work!
Friday, September 23, 2005
I Fixed It!
I woke up this morning and realized why my blog was acting dumb. Of course hubby thought I was crazy because I jumped right out of bed and fixed it! :) Then I had to get the girls ready for school because Prince Charming offered to take them this morning. Im still feeling yucky! I am working on a post that I will put up sometime today.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Hi All
My blog is acting weird. I will post some stuff as soon as I figure out what kinda issues this thing has! :)
5 Things
I have been tagged by Brandy . I changed it just a little I hope you dont mind! :)
Allison and Jessica I think your guys should do this on your blog. I would love to read your answers! I guess Im tagging you two. There was a question at the bottom that said "5 People you would like to do this to...well I only know you two in blogland the others I know Brandy tagged. So hey your it!
5 things I plan (Lord willing) to do before I die:
1. Have a baby
2. Own some land
3. Watch my children come to know the Lord and live godly lives
4. Visit Amish country..you know because Im obsessed!
5. Learn to Play the Piano
5 things I can do:
1. Make people laugh
2. Throw random things in a pot and come out with a decent meal
3. Change a diaper and get a two year old ready in 30 seconds flat.. (I have done it twice!!)
4. Read a really good book in one sitting
5. Tell others about Jesus
5 things I cannot do (yet):
1. Play the Piano
2. Grow our own food
3. Say Im Pregnant
4. Crochet (Im learning!)
5. Not yell at my children
5 things that attract me to the opposite sex: (the opposite sex being Roy!)
1. Strong Spiritual life
2. He makes me Laugh!
3. The smartest man I know
4. I love his laugh
5. He always encourages me
5 things I say most often:
1. Oh Mylanta
2. For the love of corn
3. Dadgummit
4. Pookie Bear
5. I love you
Allison and Jessica I think your guys should do this on your blog. I would love to read your answers! I guess Im tagging you two. There was a question at the bottom that said "5 People you would like to do this to...well I only know you two in blogland the others I know Brandy tagged. So hey your it!
5 things I plan (Lord willing) to do before I die:
1. Have a baby
2. Own some land
3. Watch my children come to know the Lord and live godly lives
4. Visit Amish country..you know because Im obsessed!
5. Learn to Play the Piano
5 things I can do:
1. Make people laugh
2. Throw random things in a pot and come out with a decent meal
3. Change a diaper and get a two year old ready in 30 seconds flat.. (I have done it twice!!)
4. Read a really good book in one sitting
5. Tell others about Jesus
5 things I cannot do (yet):
1. Play the Piano
2. Grow our own food
3. Say Im Pregnant
4. Crochet (Im learning!)
5. Not yell at my children
5 things that attract me to the opposite sex: (the opposite sex being Roy!)
1. Strong Spiritual life
2. He makes me Laugh!
3. The smartest man I know
4. I love his laugh
5. He always encourages me
5 things I say most often:
1. Oh Mylanta
2. For the love of corn
3. Dadgummit
4. Pookie Bear
5. I love you
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Updates
Ok I will try to blog for real later but for now here are updates on our children.
A our 2 year old who has been with us for a year and a half had a court hearing today. Its his two year review which means he has been in care for two years now. I found out yesterday that they were changing his goal from reunification to adoption. Well his mother did not show up for court due to some "medical problems". The worker thinks and I agree that she forgot about court today, found out yesterday when our worker talked to her, and was not able to get a ride on such short notice. She and A's father claim they cant afford bus tickets BUT they do smoke a pack a day.. Hmm! Anyways court has been rescheduled for Oct 4. We are hoping to get a trial date for termination of parental rights on this day.
Our girls KA, KE, and T are already on the adoption hit list. The worker told us the other day she wants to have it finalized by Christmas. I would be ecstatic. She has already sent in to get our adoptive license I just have to finish the application.
And last but never least is 4 year old C his mom is actually doing her case plan and has reached midpoint. We are excited because that means in probably six months or less he will be going home. I really like his mom and believe that she will do right by him. She also asked if after all this was over if she could visit our church. I told her absolutly. If I knew her boyfriend better I might invite them out now but because I dont feel comfortable with him I have to keep a low profile.
Well those are the updates on my little family. Please remember all the impending court dates and adoptions in your prayers.
My home beautification project hit a speed bump this week as I came down with an awful cold. Im doped up on DayQuil right now just to get through the basics and make sure I can go get my girls from school. :)
Ok love to you all! More later.
A our 2 year old who has been with us for a year and a half had a court hearing today. Its his two year review which means he has been in care for two years now. I found out yesterday that they were changing his goal from reunification to adoption. Well his mother did not show up for court due to some "medical problems". The worker thinks and I agree that she forgot about court today, found out yesterday when our worker talked to her, and was not able to get a ride on such short notice. She and A's father claim they cant afford bus tickets BUT they do smoke a pack a day.. Hmm! Anyways court has been rescheduled for Oct 4. We are hoping to get a trial date for termination of parental rights on this day.
Our girls KA, KE, and T are already on the adoption hit list. The worker told us the other day she wants to have it finalized by Christmas. I would be ecstatic. She has already sent in to get our adoptive license I just have to finish the application.
And last but never least is 4 year old C his mom is actually doing her case plan and has reached midpoint. We are excited because that means in probably six months or less he will be going home. I really like his mom and believe that she will do right by him. She also asked if after all this was over if she could visit our church. I told her absolutly. If I knew her boyfriend better I might invite them out now but because I dont feel comfortable with him I have to keep a low profile.
Well those are the updates on my little family. Please remember all the impending court dates and adoptions in your prayers.
My home beautification project hit a speed bump this week as I came down with an awful cold. Im doped up on DayQuil right now just to get through the basics and make sure I can go get my girls from school. :)
Ok love to you all! More later.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
My Home Part 3
OK last but not least the bedrooms. We shall start in the girls bedroom. There is a bunkbed up against one wall. They do not have matching sheets..sometimes I wonder if the top bunk has sheets at all! :) Against another wall and by the window is a twin bed. Different sheets again. There is a plastic rolling 6 drawer thingy with clothes in it next to the bed and next to that is a 5 drawer white dresser that has in the last few days decided to fall apart. Two of the doors came off the drawers.. On the next wall is a three compartment hamper. This has worked wonderfully as each girl has her own compartment. Unfortunately it has bitten the dust. I need to get one a little more sturdy if I am going to ask my three year old to pull the clothes out of the bottom. :) They have a little closet with a bar at adult level and a wire shelf way up high! So here are the plans for this room. It was going to be a purple wonderland but then one of the girls decided she did not like purple.. However another girl adores ANYTHING purple..dilemma.. ahh I think not. The room will now be done in purple, pink and green. All pastel by the way. I have not decided how I will paint it yet but right now each bed will have a different solid color comforter. I have already made one pillow for the purple bed. Its pink, purple and green plaid with a purple gingham ruffle. I will make one with a green ruffle for the green bed and one with a pink ruffle for the pink bed. My mom and I are learning to crochet and we are making blankets in pink, green and purple to lay over the comforters for decoration. The closet is also getting a makeover. I am going to put a lower bar down for the little girls and one higher for the older girl. The higher bar will also have a section for coats and belts and other stuff. Then I will put in removable shelving for storage space. I think alot of this is going to end up being their adoption present. Im also shelf thingy with bins in pink, green and purple to go into their room.
Now onto the boys room. On the wall when you first walk in is an empty bed. That was little E's bed. He went home. Then there is the closet.. same set up as the girls. On the next wall is A's big boy bed. Whatever sheets end up on there.. they dont necessarily have to match! Then we have a wall with the window and the boys' 5 drawer dresser. And on the last wall is C's bed. Because they are so young Im thinking of going with a construction/primary colors theme in here. It could last a good long time. Im thinking blue walls with red and yellow accents. Maybe red comforters or something constructiony..not sure yet. I hate character rooms but I would love a Bob the Builder room. :) I want to do something similar with their closet but of course more shelf space because the bar would be really low. Im getting them a shelf thing with red, blue and yellow bins.
I guess I will have to bring you into my room eventually. This room is a disaster. We need new paint, new flooring, a new bed... everything. Not gonna happen anytime soon so I have to do with what I have. Right now this room has accumulated all the stuff we are trying to get rid of. Mainly because it is easy for me to list the stuff on freecycle because its right here in front of me. Our sheets ripped so we have no sheets on our bed...they only lasted like two years! Also our pillowcases have gone MIA. Now we are getting a third paycheck this month so I have permission to go to Big Lots and see if I can find some sheets for the bed. The computer is on one wall beside the bed. Across the room is my sewing table and area and my scrapbooking area. These two areas are slowly getting organized. Right now the room is dark brick red. There are some palm tree plates and pictures on the wall and a dessert scene pic with an Arab looking guy holding something. We call him Ahab the Arab..my two year old calls him Jesus... not sure who is but pretty sure he is not Jesus. It just fit the decor of the room. He is flanked by two candle sconces. Ok here is the vision for this room. Either dark blue or white walls. Blue and white striped curtains. A blue and white toile bedspread. Wood flooring. My grandmothers blue and white transferware on a plate ledge around the room. Some other blue and white country accents. White antique bedside tables...or at least good replicas. I think it will be a cool relaxing place. I would also like some screens or something to hide my sewing area and scrapbook area and a white computer armoire to hide the computer junk!
I have not put target dates on any of the above but just know I will as soon as I come up with them.
Well this is my home! I love it. My husband works hard for this home and I should show him how much I appreciate it by caring for it.
Im not done with the Beautiful Homemaking subject. There is still a lot I want to think about on the subject.
I have so much more decluttering and rearranging to do and I am excited when I think of the end result.
Is there anything you changed last week to make your home more beautiful? I would love to hear about it!
Now onto the boys room. On the wall when you first walk in is an empty bed. That was little E's bed. He went home. Then there is the closet.. same set up as the girls. On the next wall is A's big boy bed. Whatever sheets end up on there.. they dont necessarily have to match! Then we have a wall with the window and the boys' 5 drawer dresser. And on the last wall is C's bed. Because they are so young Im thinking of going with a construction/primary colors theme in here. It could last a good long time. Im thinking blue walls with red and yellow accents. Maybe red comforters or something constructiony..not sure yet. I hate character rooms but I would love a Bob the Builder room. :) I want to do something similar with their closet but of course more shelf space because the bar would be really low. Im getting them a shelf thing with red, blue and yellow bins.
I guess I will have to bring you into my room eventually. This room is a disaster. We need new paint, new flooring, a new bed... everything. Not gonna happen anytime soon so I have to do with what I have. Right now this room has accumulated all the stuff we are trying to get rid of. Mainly because it is easy for me to list the stuff on freecycle because its right here in front of me. Our sheets ripped so we have no sheets on our bed...they only lasted like two years! Also our pillowcases have gone MIA. Now we are getting a third paycheck this month so I have permission to go to Big Lots and see if I can find some sheets for the bed. The computer is on one wall beside the bed. Across the room is my sewing table and area and my scrapbooking area. These two areas are slowly getting organized. Right now the room is dark brick red. There are some palm tree plates and pictures on the wall and a dessert scene pic with an Arab looking guy holding something. We call him Ahab the Arab..my two year old calls him Jesus... not sure who is but pretty sure he is not Jesus. It just fit the decor of the room. He is flanked by two candle sconces. Ok here is the vision for this room. Either dark blue or white walls. Blue and white striped curtains. A blue and white toile bedspread. Wood flooring. My grandmothers blue and white transferware on a plate ledge around the room. Some other blue and white country accents. White antique bedside tables...or at least good replicas. I think it will be a cool relaxing place. I would also like some screens or something to hide my sewing area and scrapbook area and a white computer armoire to hide the computer junk!
I have not put target dates on any of the above but just know I will as soon as I come up with them.
Well this is my home! I love it. My husband works hard for this home and I should show him how much I appreciate it by caring for it.
Im not done with the Beautiful Homemaking subject. There is still a lot I want to think about on the subject.
I have so much more decluttering and rearranging to do and I am excited when I think of the end result.
Is there anything you changed last week to make your home more beautiful? I would love to hear about it!
My Home Part 2
I had this written yesterday but we got home late and I was exhausted!
Ok so lets head into the Great Room. Most newer homes have these. It is a big room just off the kitchen usually. Ours has a fireplace in the corner which of course we have to turn the air on to use..welcome to Florida! The mantel used to have beanie bears across the top now it sits empty waiting for my next revelation of decorating! Above it is a black iron oval mirror and two black candle sconces. Oh wait I neglected to mention that my walls are BRIGHT yellow. Happy face yellow is what I call it. Ok back to the fireplace. We have a grayish marble surround and hearth. On the hearth is a basket with a blue ribbon that holds everything and propped up against the fireplace is the canvas with our family vision painted on. I want to get this above the fireplace. I don't know yet where I will move the mirror and sconces..maybe across the room. Next to the fireplace is my fake ficus tree. I love these and they went on sale at Garden Ridge one year for $16 so I ran out and bought two.. I was so excited! Then there is the sliding glass door that opens out onto the pond. We have vertical blinds on this door and they still look nice. Its a pain to open and close them because somehow they got bent the wrong way one time and now you have to pretty much manually move them when you want to open them. In the next corner sits our stereo and tapes and CDs. I really need to find a small table for the stereo to sit on and also some hideaway storage for our tapes and CDs. I have microwave cart in my garage that I might end up using. Then you have our table and an eclectic mix of chairs. Our table technically only seeks four but with 7-8 people in the house we have had to add different chairs. I love this table. We got it for Prince Charming's apartment when we were dating. As a bachelor he saw no need for a table.. I of course was appalled and thought for sure I could never date a man who did not have a table.... I knew I was going to marry this man so I picked out his (our) table. Its got the butcher block looking top with white legs and the chairs are white, with butcher block looking seats... VERY country. We have decided that our next purchase is actually going to be two of those long buffet tables, you know the ones you can get at walmart for like $25? We are going to cover those with a pretty table cloth and then try to find chairs that we can either paint or cover to give it a pulled together look. Im also going to get a rug or cloth to put under the table to have a visual separation of the family room and eating area. Above the table I have two prints I picked up at Garden Ridge for like $5 a piece. They are homey scenes with quilts in them. I just adore these prints. As you walk past the entrance to our bedroom and then the kitchen you come to a low bar area. This looks into the kitchen. The counter on this bar is blue marble looking. It is very cluttered with stuff. Soon I want to have it cleared off so we can put food up there buffet style when we need to. Maybe leave some pictures and candles stuff thats easy to remove. Underneath the bar is my grandaddy's old desk. This desk is beautiful dark wood. He cut a piece of glass to go over the top so it would not get scratched. When he passed away I immediately asked if I could have the desk. Grandaddy and Grandma got it when they first got married so I has a lot of sentimental value for me and the great thing is its practical and useful..not just clutter! I have started to clean the stuff off the desk. Eventually on top of the desk I want a desk calendar, a binder with household information, the wooden thingy with 31 slots to hold out bills, and a cup with pens and pencils in it. This will be homemanagement central. I might have to move the desk if I make the bar above it a buffet but we will cross that road when we get to it. Next is a wall that has a small table with pictures on top. It has two drawers that hold who knows what. It has the butcher block like top and dark green legs. I want to spray pain it white or blue but have not gotten around to it. Above the table is a pretty country home scene. I dont know how to describe it except to say in the picture is this big brown buffet and on top is a lot of blue and cream containers and one blue and cream water can with a bouquet of wild flowers in it. Underneath are country kitchen essentials. A washboard, a cutting board, some bowls, a few more containers... stuff like that. Above the table in the picture is a sign that say "God Bless our home." I really like this picture.. in case you could not yet tell Im way into country stuff. In the middle of our living room..ok Im going to tell you the middle of our living room right now. One couch is my big blue couch it is sitting caddy corner to the fireplace facing the sliding glass door. The other couch is a light colored couch with pinks and blues swirled in it is facing the table with its back to the fireplace because thats where it went so we could pull the sofa bed out when my friends came to stay while my daddy was sick. It used to sit caddy corner to the fireplace facing the blue couch. It was very cute and cozy. Our coffee table sits up against the sliding glass door. It used to sit between the two couches. Now one reason I have not put everything back into position is because the couch that does not match is going to find itself in the library/school room soon where DH's exercise bike sits. The blue couch will be turned to face the fireplace and I will have two other chairs facing the blue couch flanking the fireplace. The coffee table will go in the middle. Another thing in the middle of the room right now is clothes. Someone just gave me three big bags of clothes for the children and I have been sorting through them. They should be put up by tomorrow. I really enjoy this room and soon hope to make it the most inviting room in the house. I want everyone to be drawn here for family time.
Well Im going to save the bedrooms for tomorrow. I dont like posting on Saturdays but I do want to finish the tour..if anyone is even reading it! :) I am hoping to use my mom's digital camera and I will take pictures so you all can see what I am talking about. I like looking at pictures of others' homes. It makes me feel like I know them! LOL.
Ok so lets head into the Great Room. Most newer homes have these. It is a big room just off the kitchen usually. Ours has a fireplace in the corner which of course we have to turn the air on to use..welcome to Florida! The mantel used to have beanie bears across the top now it sits empty waiting for my next revelation of decorating! Above it is a black iron oval mirror and two black candle sconces. Oh wait I neglected to mention that my walls are BRIGHT yellow. Happy face yellow is what I call it. Ok back to the fireplace. We have a grayish marble surround and hearth. On the hearth is a basket with a blue ribbon that holds everything and propped up against the fireplace is the canvas with our family vision painted on. I want to get this above the fireplace. I don't know yet where I will move the mirror and sconces..maybe across the room. Next to the fireplace is my fake ficus tree. I love these and they went on sale at Garden Ridge one year for $16 so I ran out and bought two.. I was so excited! Then there is the sliding glass door that opens out onto the pond. We have vertical blinds on this door and they still look nice. Its a pain to open and close them because somehow they got bent the wrong way one time and now you have to pretty much manually move them when you want to open them. In the next corner sits our stereo and tapes and CDs. I really need to find a small table for the stereo to sit on and also some hideaway storage for our tapes and CDs. I have microwave cart in my garage that I might end up using. Then you have our table and an eclectic mix of chairs. Our table technically only seeks four but with 7-8 people in the house we have had to add different chairs. I love this table. We got it for Prince Charming's apartment when we were dating. As a bachelor he saw no need for a table.. I of course was appalled and thought for sure I could never date a man who did not have a table.... I knew I was going to marry this man so I picked out his (our) table. Its got the butcher block looking top with white legs and the chairs are white, with butcher block looking seats... VERY country. We have decided that our next purchase is actually going to be two of those long buffet tables, you know the ones you can get at walmart for like $25? We are going to cover those with a pretty table cloth and then try to find chairs that we can either paint or cover to give it a pulled together look. Im also going to get a rug or cloth to put under the table to have a visual separation of the family room and eating area. Above the table I have two prints I picked up at Garden Ridge for like $5 a piece. They are homey scenes with quilts in them. I just adore these prints. As you walk past the entrance to our bedroom and then the kitchen you come to a low bar area. This looks into the kitchen. The counter on this bar is blue marble looking. It is very cluttered with stuff. Soon I want to have it cleared off so we can put food up there buffet style when we need to. Maybe leave some pictures and candles stuff thats easy to remove. Underneath the bar is my grandaddy's old desk. This desk is beautiful dark wood. He cut a piece of glass to go over the top so it would not get scratched. When he passed away I immediately asked if I could have the desk. Grandaddy and Grandma got it when they first got married so I has a lot of sentimental value for me and the great thing is its practical and useful..not just clutter! I have started to clean the stuff off the desk. Eventually on top of the desk I want a desk calendar, a binder with household information, the wooden thingy with 31 slots to hold out bills, and a cup with pens and pencils in it. This will be homemanagement central. I might have to move the desk if I make the bar above it a buffet but we will cross that road when we get to it. Next is a wall that has a small table with pictures on top. It has two drawers that hold who knows what. It has the butcher block like top and dark green legs. I want to spray pain it white or blue but have not gotten around to it. Above the table is a pretty country home scene. I dont know how to describe it except to say in the picture is this big brown buffet and on top is a lot of blue and cream containers and one blue and cream water can with a bouquet of wild flowers in it. Underneath are country kitchen essentials. A washboard, a cutting board, some bowls, a few more containers... stuff like that. Above the table in the picture is a sign that say "God Bless our home." I really like this picture.. in case you could not yet tell Im way into country stuff. In the middle of our living room..ok Im going to tell you the middle of our living room right now. One couch is my big blue couch it is sitting caddy corner to the fireplace facing the sliding glass door. The other couch is a light colored couch with pinks and blues swirled in it is facing the table with its back to the fireplace because thats where it went so we could pull the sofa bed out when my friends came to stay while my daddy was sick. It used to sit caddy corner to the fireplace facing the blue couch. It was very cute and cozy. Our coffee table sits up against the sliding glass door. It used to sit between the two couches. Now one reason I have not put everything back into position is because the couch that does not match is going to find itself in the library/school room soon where DH's exercise bike sits. The blue couch will be turned to face the fireplace and I will have two other chairs facing the blue couch flanking the fireplace. The coffee table will go in the middle. Another thing in the middle of the room right now is clothes. Someone just gave me three big bags of clothes for the children and I have been sorting through them. They should be put up by tomorrow. I really enjoy this room and soon hope to make it the most inviting room in the house. I want everyone to be drawn here for family time.
Well Im going to save the bedrooms for tomorrow. I dont like posting on Saturdays but I do want to finish the tour..if anyone is even reading it! :) I am hoping to use my mom's digital camera and I will take pictures so you all can see what I am talking about. I like looking at pictures of others' homes. It makes me feel like I know them! LOL.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Here's Another One
I did not get to continue the tour of my home yesterday because we were so busy! I did want to let everyone know Brandy is starting a Homekeeping Series. I think it will be great so if you have a minute check it out!
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
My Home Part 1
Ok here we go. I was thinking I could take some digitals but its not going to happen. So I will have to refer back to all the adjectives I learned in school!
Lets start at the front door and work our way back, shall we? Come in the front door you are in our mini foyer Its actually rather nice. It has wood linouleum and a small picture that says, "God Bless Our Home". To the right is the playroom. There is a big ugly couch in there. I throw blankets on it but... well... its the playroom and they always end up being used for a tent or a cape or a gown... It has rips in the cushions. I am trying to find a new home for old faithful. Its actually a very sturdy, well made couch, just needs a good cover. In front of the couch you will find a small tv stand and tv. There is a VCR and a DVD player on the shelves. Normally around this you find all sorts of videos and DVDs scattered around. Not to mention wires everywhere. There are boxes of toys lining the walls and scattered around the floor. In the closet you will find bins of movies. Soon the TV will be moved out of this room and it will be just a play room with plenty of space to play. Now the walls would be cute if I could finish them.... The top is a country blue and the bottom a soft yellow and there is a teddy bear border around the middle. Now having never done painting two different colors or wallpapering before I went about this all wrong. I have blue where yellow should be in some spots and yellow where blue should be in others. Also we ran out of border and I had to go get some more. My challenge is to finish this room by October 15. Look closely at the carpet. There are only three rooms in this house with carpet that looks as good as this. Its a light brown color. I thought it was darker until we moved the cats and the kids in. :( LOL The toys around the room are about to get organized into bins. I have a twelve bin system set up on paper and if the toy does not fall into that catagory out it is going!
To the left of the front door is our library/school room. We have about 4 bookcases (2 tall, 1 medium, and 1 short) backed up against the far wall. On the next wall is a desk COVERED with papers and books. This will be my desk one day when I get it cleared off. Next to the desk is a wall that has a banner across the top that says, "Look what we made this week!" Underneath I hang up all the projects the children did during the week during preschool. Across the room is a recliner rocker and next to that is my husbands exercise bike. In the middle of the room is a small table and chairs that the children use. I would like to paint this room the same yellow that is in the playroom. Also the carpet needs to be replaced with wood laminate as the cats tend to get sick in this room and also use this room when they dont want to use the litter box. (See I told you I was going to be transparent!). The desk needs to be cleared off. The recliner rocker is going to move to another room where it will be better utilized. And the exercise bike is going in our room so hubby can ride while he plays his computer games. And I hope to get some shelving and some more bookcases for this room. Target date of completion for everything that can be done for little to no money..October 10.
Walk down our little hallway. There is a big wall there that will soon be covered in pictures of all the children who have lived in our home. There will be potraits and candid shots. I am also looking for the verse
Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalms 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalms 127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
To go on this wall. Across from it is a pretty little country plaque that says, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6" Underneath that is a white whicker table with a glass shelf top. It has pictures on top and underneath some pretty bowls. Down the hall a little ways is the bookshelf that houses puzzles, coloring books and crayons. This bookshelf is moving into the library soon. The carpet in this hallway needs to be replaced as well thanks to the kitties. I would like to add some more pictures and Bible verse plaques and artwork to this wall. I LOVE having God's word all over the walls of my house! There is no doubt when you walk in that you are in a Christian's home. Target date for completion of the hallway... October 5.
I will stop here because it seems my tour might get a little long. Tomorrow we will explore the children's rooms and the family room/dining room.
Im excited because it has been freecylce central here lately as people have been at my door constantly to pick stuff up. Hubby said Saturday he will sit down with me and try to figure out a place for all the things we have to keep.
On another exciting note. I should get the adoption application Monday and if we can get all our paperwork turned in by the end of the month we might be eligible to finalize the adoption on the girls by CHRISTMAS!! :)
Lets start at the front door and work our way back, shall we? Come in the front door you are in our mini foyer Its actually rather nice. It has wood linouleum and a small picture that says, "God Bless Our Home". To the right is the playroom. There is a big ugly couch in there. I throw blankets on it but... well... its the playroom and they always end up being used for a tent or a cape or a gown... It has rips in the cushions. I am trying to find a new home for old faithful. Its actually a very sturdy, well made couch, just needs a good cover. In front of the couch you will find a small tv stand and tv. There is a VCR and a DVD player on the shelves. Normally around this you find all sorts of videos and DVDs scattered around. Not to mention wires everywhere. There are boxes of toys lining the walls and scattered around the floor. In the closet you will find bins of movies. Soon the TV will be moved out of this room and it will be just a play room with plenty of space to play. Now the walls would be cute if I could finish them.... The top is a country blue and the bottom a soft yellow and there is a teddy bear border around the middle. Now having never done painting two different colors or wallpapering before I went about this all wrong. I have blue where yellow should be in some spots and yellow where blue should be in others. Also we ran out of border and I had to go get some more. My challenge is to finish this room by October 15. Look closely at the carpet. There are only three rooms in this house with carpet that looks as good as this. Its a light brown color. I thought it was darker until we moved the cats and the kids in. :( LOL The toys around the room are about to get organized into bins. I have a twelve bin system set up on paper and if the toy does not fall into that catagory out it is going!
To the left of the front door is our library/school room. We have about 4 bookcases (2 tall, 1 medium, and 1 short) backed up against the far wall. On the next wall is a desk COVERED with papers and books. This will be my desk one day when I get it cleared off. Next to the desk is a wall that has a banner across the top that says, "Look what we made this week!" Underneath I hang up all the projects the children did during the week during preschool. Across the room is a recliner rocker and next to that is my husbands exercise bike. In the middle of the room is a small table and chairs that the children use. I would like to paint this room the same yellow that is in the playroom. Also the carpet needs to be replaced with wood laminate as the cats tend to get sick in this room and also use this room when they dont want to use the litter box. (See I told you I was going to be transparent!). The desk needs to be cleared off. The recliner rocker is going to move to another room where it will be better utilized. And the exercise bike is going in our room so hubby can ride while he plays his computer games. And I hope to get some shelving and some more bookcases for this room. Target date of completion for everything that can be done for little to no money..October 10.
Walk down our little hallway. There is a big wall there that will soon be covered in pictures of all the children who have lived in our home. There will be potraits and candid shots. I am also looking for the verse
Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalms 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalms 127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
To go on this wall. Across from it is a pretty little country plaque that says, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6" Underneath that is a white whicker table with a glass shelf top. It has pictures on top and underneath some pretty bowls. Down the hall a little ways is the bookshelf that houses puzzles, coloring books and crayons. This bookshelf is moving into the library soon. The carpet in this hallway needs to be replaced as well thanks to the kitties. I would like to add some more pictures and Bible verse plaques and artwork to this wall. I LOVE having God's word all over the walls of my house! There is no doubt when you walk in that you are in a Christian's home. Target date for completion of the hallway... October 5.
I will stop here because it seems my tour might get a little long. Tomorrow we will explore the children's rooms and the family room/dining room.
Im excited because it has been freecylce central here lately as people have been at my door constantly to pick stuff up. Hubby said Saturday he will sit down with me and try to figure out a place for all the things we have to keep.
On another exciting note. I should get the adoption application Monday and if we can get all our paperwork turned in by the end of the month we might be eligible to finalize the adoption on the girls by CHRISTMAS!! :)
Homemaking Beautiful..from another blogger.
Hi guys real quick wanted to post a link to another blog done by a great woman. I met Chautona at the Beautiful Womanhood message board and always looked forward to reading her messages. Im so excited she has a blog. She is witty and a lot of fun but also a strong Christian who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Or at least that is what I know of her over there.. :)
She is doing beauty in homemaking posts to and I asked her if I could link to one. Its called Ode to Thoreau. While you are over there be sure to read the rest of her blog to as it has some great stuff. I particularly like todays entry!
OK more tonight.
She is doing beauty in homemaking posts to and I asked her if I could link to one. Its called Ode to Thoreau. While you are over there be sure to read the rest of her blog to as it has some great stuff. I particularly like todays entry!
OK more tonight.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Being the Example
Here is something I have been pondering. I actually posted part of this on the message board that led me to this discussion.
I believe we are biblically mandated to be "keepers at home". I want to do a study on when exactly women quit being keepers at home and how long did it take society to reap the consequences of it. I dont know when I will do this or how.. just something on my to do list. :) Anyways we have come to accept as a way of life wives and mothers in the workforce. Its accepted not only in society but also in our churches. One thing we cant do is beat women over the head and tell them they should be at home. The church wont back that up and will come up with some "cultural" reason that does not apply to us anymore. Now I have said before and will say again... some women do have to work. My mom had to work. My dad was disabled and there was no way he could support us. I have a friend who has to work while her husband finishes school. He is home with their son during the day and she is home with him at night he is doing well and thriving. Her heart is at home and thats where she will one day be. Im talking about women who have able bodied husbands who work to afford luxuries. Oh they wont call them that. They will call them necessities. They have to have the brand new house, the brand new car, the thousands of dollars vacations, the designer clothes...and so on. I know. I used to be this woman. Oh I always wanted to be a stay home wife but I sure did not want my spending to have to decrease! Anyway, I digress. I want to speak of a way we can show women the way home. Beauty, attention to detail, and happiness. If we work to make our homes beautiful and open them up to others they will see the benefit of being a homemaker. When they say to you, "Oh I wish my home could be this inviting!" Share with them that it can and how. If we pay attention to detail when we dress our children and take time to prepare our husbands clothes other people will see them. "Oh how I wish I had time to make my little boy look that well groomed." Smile and tell them they do and share with them how. At work other men will look at your husband and see how nicely pressed his clothes are and maybe catch a whiff of his lunch and wonder why their wives cant do that. He can share with them your little secret. But above all we can make this women come home by the happiness they see on our faces and that of our families. If we pour ourselves into a beautiful home and a nice looking family and still have a smile on our face believe me other women will notice. I think that deep down in every women is a desire to be at home! I was definitely convinced of this when I turned in my two week notice almost two years ago. I was coming home in hopes that soon our license would be approved and we would have foster children. It took another five months but it happened. When people found out I was leaving to come home full time the reactions ranged from envious to hostile. But the overwhelming thing I heard from all the women was, "I wish I could do that!" It has been rough. I wish that somehow I had known when I first got married what I know now. I am just now discovering that I am missing the beauty of homemaking. That means I have almost five years of lost years of being a wife to make up for. I have accumulated lots of JUNK and even more bad habits. But I am praying everyday that God will help me change one thing that day. Be it not leaving a job half done or picking up after myself. I can only go one day at a time. My bad habits and clutter did not accumulate over night and they will not be gone over night but slowly and surely I see results and improvements and for that I am grateful. So here is my challenge. Pick one woman in your life who you think would benefit from being home. Begin to pray for her and then begin to set an example for her. Show her how exciting it is to be a homemaker. How you dont have to be rich to have beauty in your home. To have nicely dressed children and a well groomed husband. Just desire. And challenge yourself to begin to develop habits of beauty, order, attention to detail, and happiness. I will be praying for you all and please keep me in your prayers. Tomorrow I think I want to walk you through my house and tell you the truth. Im going to let you in on the messiness, the clutter, the stress.. and then tell you the changes taking place. Make sure to check back it will be me being transparent for you.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
I believe we are biblically mandated to be "keepers at home". I want to do a study on when exactly women quit being keepers at home and how long did it take society to reap the consequences of it. I dont know when I will do this or how.. just something on my to do list. :) Anyways we have come to accept as a way of life wives and mothers in the workforce. Its accepted not only in society but also in our churches. One thing we cant do is beat women over the head and tell them they should be at home. The church wont back that up and will come up with some "cultural" reason that does not apply to us anymore. Now I have said before and will say again... some women do have to work. My mom had to work. My dad was disabled and there was no way he could support us. I have a friend who has to work while her husband finishes school. He is home with their son during the day and she is home with him at night he is doing well and thriving. Her heart is at home and thats where she will one day be. Im talking about women who have able bodied husbands who work to afford luxuries. Oh they wont call them that. They will call them necessities. They have to have the brand new house, the brand new car, the thousands of dollars vacations, the designer clothes...and so on. I know. I used to be this woman. Oh I always wanted to be a stay home wife but I sure did not want my spending to have to decrease! Anyway, I digress. I want to speak of a way we can show women the way home. Beauty, attention to detail, and happiness. If we work to make our homes beautiful and open them up to others they will see the benefit of being a homemaker. When they say to you, "Oh I wish my home could be this inviting!" Share with them that it can and how. If we pay attention to detail when we dress our children and take time to prepare our husbands clothes other people will see them. "Oh how I wish I had time to make my little boy look that well groomed." Smile and tell them they do and share with them how. At work other men will look at your husband and see how nicely pressed his clothes are and maybe catch a whiff of his lunch and wonder why their wives cant do that. He can share with them your little secret. But above all we can make this women come home by the happiness they see on our faces and that of our families. If we pour ourselves into a beautiful home and a nice looking family and still have a smile on our face believe me other women will notice. I think that deep down in every women is a desire to be at home! I was definitely convinced of this when I turned in my two week notice almost two years ago. I was coming home in hopes that soon our license would be approved and we would have foster children. It took another five months but it happened. When people found out I was leaving to come home full time the reactions ranged from envious to hostile. But the overwhelming thing I heard from all the women was, "I wish I could do that!" It has been rough. I wish that somehow I had known when I first got married what I know now. I am just now discovering that I am missing the beauty of homemaking. That means I have almost five years of lost years of being a wife to make up for. I have accumulated lots of JUNK and even more bad habits. But I am praying everyday that God will help me change one thing that day. Be it not leaving a job half done or picking up after myself. I can only go one day at a time. My bad habits and clutter did not accumulate over night and they will not be gone over night but slowly and surely I see results and improvements and for that I am grateful. So here is my challenge. Pick one woman in your life who you think would benefit from being home. Begin to pray for her and then begin to set an example for her. Show her how exciting it is to be a homemaker. How you dont have to be rich to have beauty in your home. To have nicely dressed children and a well groomed husband. Just desire. And challenge yourself to begin to develop habits of beauty, order, attention to detail, and happiness. I will be praying for you all and please keep me in your prayers. Tomorrow I think I want to walk you through my house and tell you the truth. Im going to let you in on the messiness, the clutter, the stress.. and then tell you the changes taking place. Make sure to check back it will be me being transparent for you.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Family Before "Stuff"!
PHew. Just got back from bowling. Prince Charming, my brother, my friend, and I are on a Christian Bowling League. Im so excited to be back. I bowled on this league for two years and then took a year off because we added so many children. Well we still have a lot of children but we think we can still bowl... :) My mom came up there with the children tonight to watch us... I dont know if she will venture there again! LOL..she had a time of it. For the most part my children are great. But sometimes (especially with grandma!) they can really act up. Who knows.
Well anyway.
This is our week on the beauty of homemaking. Have you read the story of creation? Have you read the story of building the temple? Both of these stories stand out to me because they are detailed. God is detailed. God likes beauty. All you have to do is catch a butterfly. Examine her wings and all the colors. She is detailed and beautiful, just the way God made her. Using nature as an example. Everything in nature has a job, a purpose. Nature does not stray from the job God has given it, it simply does it. . This is what makes nature so orderly. It just does what its created to do. We as women have an important job. God has created us to instill order and beauty into our homes. If you cant walk across the floor to greet your husband after he has had a long day at the office then your home is not orderly or beautiful. If your children cant dance across the floor to a favorite song or cant find a place to sit and look at a book or change dolly's clothes or race thier cars then your home is not orderly or beautiful. I have been on massive clutter detail lately. This is hard for me because I am a sentimental junkie. But shouldn't my family be more important to me than stuff!?! I got rid of a lot of knick knacks and dust collectors because I want to display more pictures of my family and because I want my house to look more open and inviting. I got rid of closets full of stuffed animals because I want to make the childrens' closets accessible to them. They truly need to learn how to put away thier own clothes and pick out thier own clothes. Im moving into the school room/library next because I want it to be a place the children and I enjoy being. Soon the playroom will be just that... a playroom. We are moving the couch and TV out of there. There will be wide open space for the children to play. I dont have any sage advice on how to declutter other than to just do it! My house is a scary place right now. I have boxes and bags of stuff waiting to be picked up by freecyclers but I can see the end result and I have to tell you I am positively giddy! Decluttering is what has happened as I decided to put my family before "stuff". Before I understood this concept we had piles of "stuff" everywhere. Im not going for the perfect house. Just a nice, comfortable, inviting house. A house we enjoy occupying and cant wait to ask friends to join us. A house where family comes before material possesions. A house that is beautiful and orderly and God-honoring!
Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Well anyway.
This is our week on the beauty of homemaking. Have you read the story of creation? Have you read the story of building the temple? Both of these stories stand out to me because they are detailed. God is detailed. God likes beauty. All you have to do is catch a butterfly. Examine her wings and all the colors. She is detailed and beautiful, just the way God made her. Using nature as an example. Everything in nature has a job, a purpose. Nature does not stray from the job God has given it, it simply does it. . This is what makes nature so orderly. It just does what its created to do. We as women have an important job. God has created us to instill order and beauty into our homes. If you cant walk across the floor to greet your husband after he has had a long day at the office then your home is not orderly or beautiful. If your children cant dance across the floor to a favorite song or cant find a place to sit and look at a book or change dolly's clothes or race thier cars then your home is not orderly or beautiful. I have been on massive clutter detail lately. This is hard for me because I am a sentimental junkie. But shouldn't my family be more important to me than stuff!?! I got rid of a lot of knick knacks and dust collectors because I want to display more pictures of my family and because I want my house to look more open and inviting. I got rid of closets full of stuffed animals because I want to make the childrens' closets accessible to them. They truly need to learn how to put away thier own clothes and pick out thier own clothes. Im moving into the school room/library next because I want it to be a place the children and I enjoy being. Soon the playroom will be just that... a playroom. We are moving the couch and TV out of there. There will be wide open space for the children to play. I dont have any sage advice on how to declutter other than to just do it! My house is a scary place right now. I have boxes and bags of stuff waiting to be picked up by freecyclers but I can see the end result and I have to tell you I am positively giddy! Decluttering is what has happened as I decided to put my family before "stuff". Before I understood this concept we had piles of "stuff" everywhere. Im not going for the perfect house. Just a nice, comfortable, inviting house. A house we enjoy occupying and cant wait to ask friends to join us. A house where family comes before material possesions. A house that is beautiful and orderly and God-honoring!
Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Check this out!
Ok I try not to blog to often on the weekends as it is coveted family time but right now everyone is snoozing and I was just reading through a blog I found just yesterday.. It is the most beautiful blog I have ever encountered. The whole theme is beautiful homemaking. I just had to share it as it will be a topic for the next week!
http://homeliving.blogspot.com
Please, please click on this link and then set your timer because you can loose yourself in this amazing help site!
Have a wonderful weekend!
http://homeliving.blogspot.com
Please, please click on this link and then set your timer because you can loose yourself in this amazing help site!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, September 9, 2005
The Beauty of Homemaking?
First of all our trip to Atlanta was FABULOUS! We had the best time. I hope to post some pictures soon.
Now, I have been on a serious decluttering kick around here lately. I have been VERY convicted about this area of my life. I was not sure exactly what I was feeling until yesterday at a message board I frequent it was put into words. Where is the beauty in homemaking anymore? Are our homes organized, peaceful, welcoming? Are our children clean, dressed, mannerly, well behaved? Do our husbands go to work with a good lunch, a kiss from a lovely wife, a nicely pressed fresh outfit? Do our husbands come home to a nice house, peaceful house, nice smelling house, orderly house, love and cheerfullness? Ok, ok before you delete this blog from your favorites hear me out! I dont expect everyone to be June Cleaver. I surely am not. Im not exactly sure where I want this to go. But tell me what you think. Where is the beauty in homemaking? Why would anyone want to be a homemaker now? I know the Bible tells us it is right but.... why should we long to stay home and take care of home and family? Any takers? I will blog more about it either over the weekend or early next week. Im still trying to collect my thoughts.
Now, I have been on a serious decluttering kick around here lately. I have been VERY convicted about this area of my life. I was not sure exactly what I was feeling until yesterday at a message board I frequent it was put into words. Where is the beauty in homemaking anymore? Are our homes organized, peaceful, welcoming? Are our children clean, dressed, mannerly, well behaved? Do our husbands go to work with a good lunch, a kiss from a lovely wife, a nicely pressed fresh outfit? Do our husbands come home to a nice house, peaceful house, nice smelling house, orderly house, love and cheerfullness? Ok, ok before you delete this blog from your favorites hear me out! I dont expect everyone to be June Cleaver. I surely am not. Im not exactly sure where I want this to go. But tell me what you think. Where is the beauty in homemaking? Why would anyone want to be a homemaker now? I know the Bible tells us it is right but.... why should we long to stay home and take care of home and family? Any takers? I will blog more about it either over the weekend or early next week. Im still trying to collect my thoughts.
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Time with friends.
We had a wonderful time tonight. We went and had dinner with some friends (MICHELLE HERE YOU ARE IN MY BLOG!!) They have the cutest 1 year old boy. He and my 2 year old are great friends. They got to sit by each other tonight Keith (the friend) in his highchair and A my baby in his booster chair. They giggled together, ate together, whined to get down together, and then had a good time staring at each other. Keith was so cute he wanted to get up so he would say in the cutest high pitched voice, "Up?". Now my A he just whined... "Wanna get doooowwwn!".
Michelle is expecting number 2 in January. Im so excited. She is a great mommy and Ricky (Her husband-Look Ricky your here too!) are amazing parents. They are doing such a good job. I got to be present at Keith's birth. It was such an amazing honor to be asked to be there. I believe with all my heart that God will one day grant me a baby from my own womb BUT if he does not I got to experience Keith's birth and for that I will forever be grateful.
We were also joined by another friend whom I had not seen in a long time. It was nice to catch up with her. (HI JESSICA!) I went to highschool with Michelle and Jessica and we met Ricky through another friend we went to highschool with.
We were laughing tonight because my oldest daughter whom I will be adopting soon was born in April of the year I graduated from highschool. We figured at our reunion I will fit right in. Most of my "friends" were expecting or had a baby at graduation. I told them about twelfth grade Anatomy and Physiology where I was surronded by girls who talked about diapers, formula, and vaccines during class. I was such the odd man out! Now I have to admit that these girls I sat around were to be "admired" in a sense. We went to a college prep public highschool. Which means it was a bit harder than most highschools. All of our classes were gifted or advanced and we graduated with more credits than we really needed. These girls stuck it out and passed with good grades and college prospects. Im not admiring them for having a baby so young but for taking a tough situation and making the best of it. I heard them condemed and could not help but think that the baby they had was still a gift from God. God still had something special planned just for that little person.
Anyways most of the point of that was to tell you all I had a great time with friends tonight.
Around the House:
I am on a serious decluttering kick. I mean like a show no mercy kick. I will blog more about why later. Its something I have been convicted about lately. All the stuff in our living room that is going on Freecycle is in a big box. I have already put up like 4-5 posts to get rid of some things. Im thinking for the next month or so Im going to try not to make any unneccessary purchases!
I have finally completed all the laundry from our trip.
The girl's room is almost livable.
The boy's room for some reason has started to go down hill again so I have to get on that.
Homeschooling Preschool is going great! The children are enjoying it and Im excited that it seems to be working out.
Unfortunatly we veered from our MOTH schedule a lot this week. But Im ready and raring to go tommorrow morning. We have only craft time tomorrow and after that I will be decluttering like a mad woman!
Ok going to bed now so I can get up at the right time! :)
Michelle is expecting number 2 in January. Im so excited. She is a great mommy and Ricky (Her husband-Look Ricky your here too!) are amazing parents. They are doing such a good job. I got to be present at Keith's birth. It was such an amazing honor to be asked to be there. I believe with all my heart that God will one day grant me a baby from my own womb BUT if he does not I got to experience Keith's birth and for that I will forever be grateful.
We were also joined by another friend whom I had not seen in a long time. It was nice to catch up with her. (HI JESSICA!) I went to highschool with Michelle and Jessica and we met Ricky through another friend we went to highschool with.
We were laughing tonight because my oldest daughter whom I will be adopting soon was born in April of the year I graduated from highschool. We figured at our reunion I will fit right in. Most of my "friends" were expecting or had a baby at graduation. I told them about twelfth grade Anatomy and Physiology where I was surronded by girls who talked about diapers, formula, and vaccines during class. I was such the odd man out! Now I have to admit that these girls I sat around were to be "admired" in a sense. We went to a college prep public highschool. Which means it was a bit harder than most highschools. All of our classes were gifted or advanced and we graduated with more credits than we really needed. These girls stuck it out and passed with good grades and college prospects. Im not admiring them for having a baby so young but for taking a tough situation and making the best of it. I heard them condemed and could not help but think that the baby they had was still a gift from God. God still had something special planned just for that little person.
Anyways most of the point of that was to tell you all I had a great time with friends tonight.
Around the House:
I am on a serious decluttering kick. I mean like a show no mercy kick. I will blog more about why later. Its something I have been convicted about lately. All the stuff in our living room that is going on Freecycle is in a big box. I have already put up like 4-5 posts to get rid of some things. Im thinking for the next month or so Im going to try not to make any unneccessary purchases!
I have finally completed all the laundry from our trip.
The girl's room is almost livable.
The boy's room for some reason has started to go down hill again so I have to get on that.
Homeschooling Preschool is going great! The children are enjoying it and Im excited that it seems to be working out.
Unfortunatly we veered from our MOTH schedule a lot this week. But Im ready and raring to go tommorrow morning. We have only craft time tomorrow and after that I will be decluttering like a mad woman!
Ok going to bed now so I can get up at the right time! :)
Changes
I have had the most fun tonight. Prince Charming and I have been making changes to my blog. Look he made my link list work! Hallalujah! And I put in a counter. I know not that many people stop by but I thought it would be fun to see how many do come by. Ok send all your friends over so my counter can go high and I wont be embarassed! :)
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Changing Templates
Im looking at some different templates right now. Not sure what Im going to do. I found http://www.blogskins.com and am browsing through there. Any suggestions? I tried to add a link section to this template but it would never show up so now Im trying to find one with a link section already there. *Sigh* I love this DSL but it is quickly making me more of a blog junkie than I care to admit. I can sit for 5 minutes every now and then and try to change something! LOL!
Modesty
Ok I have a ton to say on this topic but I thought I would start by just simply answering a question I recieved.
I'm just wondering...how do you dress? there is alot of talk about modesty dressing in dresses and such...I would love to know your perspective!
I wear mostly dresses/skirts. There are days when I pull on a pair of pants. I dont look down on others wearing pants. My girls are allowed to choose what they want to wear. My three year old wears dresses about 3-4 times a week. Thats what she picks. My four year old picks dresses almost everyday! Ok unless I ask her to wear a pair of pants.. because I have not done laundry and she does not have a clean school dress... she will pick a dress or skirt. My eight year old I never know which way she is going to go. I like to wear skirts. I like the femininity (is that right?) of it all! I like to show that, "Yes, I am a woman and grateful for the role God has given me." The rule I have for myself and my girls is that skirts and dresses have to at least fall to the knee. NOW I did make an exception with my two girls. The only thing we could find halfway appropriate for school were skirts with shorts underneath. I bought them each a size larger than what they wear and they fall just above the knee BUT they are below fingertip which is the rule I have with shorts for the girls. I would love to post pictures of us throughout the week in skirts and dresses the way other ladies have lately but our digital camara is broken and I have to wait until Christmas. I have borrowed my mom's a few times but she likes to have it back occasionally. :)
Anyways I believe as women of God we are to dress modestly. I dont know that that means wear skirts/dresses everyday but I believe it does mean we are to be covered. We should not be showing off parts of our body that are meant just for our husbands. I am a big chested woman. For awhile I was very self conscience of that then one day in my late teens early twenties I noticed that I was buying shirts and outfits that showed off this "feature". I was doing it to emphasize what I had. This was not right or godly. Now I am more careful. I thought until recently I was going to have to live with shirts that were too low cut and just keep them pulled up constantly because thats the only shirts I could find. Imagine my gratefulness when I discovered...LAYERING! HALLALUJAH! You can take a lovely camisole and layer it underneath a shirt that is cut too low and have a nice outfit that does not expose your chest. Too many women are proud to show off thier cleavage. I have come to believe that when we as Christians do this we are putting stumbling blocks in front of our brothers. Face it in today's world our men already have to walk around with thier eyes closed to avoid the temptation that ladies are wearing.. its even worse at church to see some young girl on stage singing praises to God half naked.
God says we are to be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit.
1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
How can we have a meek and quiet spirit when our goodies are hanging out for all to see?
This is just my two cents. I am sure not everyone agrees with me. I just know that if I am sitting across the table from Jesus I sure dont want to worry about whether HE has to avert his eyes from me because of the way I am dressed.
I'm just wondering...how do you dress? there is alot of talk about modesty dressing in dresses and such...I would love to know your perspective!
I wear mostly dresses/skirts. There are days when I pull on a pair of pants. I dont look down on others wearing pants. My girls are allowed to choose what they want to wear. My three year old wears dresses about 3-4 times a week. Thats what she picks. My four year old picks dresses almost everyday! Ok unless I ask her to wear a pair of pants.. because I have not done laundry and she does not have a clean school dress... she will pick a dress or skirt. My eight year old I never know which way she is going to go. I like to wear skirts. I like the femininity (is that right?) of it all! I like to show that, "Yes, I am a woman and grateful for the role God has given me." The rule I have for myself and my girls is that skirts and dresses have to at least fall to the knee. NOW I did make an exception with my two girls. The only thing we could find halfway appropriate for school were skirts with shorts underneath. I bought them each a size larger than what they wear and they fall just above the knee BUT they are below fingertip which is the rule I have with shorts for the girls. I would love to post pictures of us throughout the week in skirts and dresses the way other ladies have lately but our digital camara is broken and I have to wait until Christmas. I have borrowed my mom's a few times but she likes to have it back occasionally. :)
Anyways I believe as women of God we are to dress modestly. I dont know that that means wear skirts/dresses everyday but I believe it does mean we are to be covered. We should not be showing off parts of our body that are meant just for our husbands. I am a big chested woman. For awhile I was very self conscience of that then one day in my late teens early twenties I noticed that I was buying shirts and outfits that showed off this "feature". I was doing it to emphasize what I had. This was not right or godly. Now I am more careful. I thought until recently I was going to have to live with shirts that were too low cut and just keep them pulled up constantly because thats the only shirts I could find. Imagine my gratefulness when I discovered...LAYERING! HALLALUJAH! You can take a lovely camisole and layer it underneath a shirt that is cut too low and have a nice outfit that does not expose your chest. Too many women are proud to show off thier cleavage. I have come to believe that when we as Christians do this we are putting stumbling blocks in front of our brothers. Face it in today's world our men already have to walk around with thier eyes closed to avoid the temptation that ladies are wearing.. its even worse at church to see some young girl on stage singing praises to God half naked.
God says we are to be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit.
1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
How can we have a meek and quiet spirit when our goodies are hanging out for all to see?
This is just my two cents. I am sure not everyone agrees with me. I just know that if I am sitting across the table from Jesus I sure dont want to worry about whether HE has to avert his eyes from me because of the way I am dressed.
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Im here
Just wanted to check in to Blogworld and let ya'll know Im still here. Trying to catch up after our weekend in Atlanta. Hope to post more soon!
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Sprinkling the Carpets
Im sorry I did not clarify though I must admit I got a kick out of the comment.
We have three cats so once or twice a week I sprinkle some Pet Fresh Carpet Freshner on the carpet. It masks the smell a little bit! :)
We have three cats so once or twice a week I sprinkle some Pet Fresh Carpet Freshner on the carpet. It masks the smell a little bit! :)
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